Leah, Cheryl, and Tim had a quiet Christmas Eve together. We enjoyed some home made pizza and salad. Afterward, we opened a few gifts and contacted the other half of the family (Lalia, Laura, and Timothy) in Hobe Sound via internet phone.
Christmas day was less than a traditional, routine holiday for us. Our normal day of ministry with the youth and children at Perechin is on Saturday, and since Ukrainians do not typically make Dec. 25th a celebrated day, we maintained our scheduled ministry time with the youth. However, we did make it special. Instead of having the typical service in Perechin, we brought the youth and children to Stephen's and Vita's home and there had a meal, party, games, and a Christmas devotion. For Tim it meant much driving because the only way for the children to come is to bring them from Perechin--about 13miles round trip. And our Nissan will not seat but five, so numerous trips were required to bring them all. Unfortunately, the weather had warmed and instead of snow, we had a heavy rain most of the afternoon, making it very difficult to get the kids home.
The day was very special, though, as we had thirteen young people--two boys and eleven girls. The girls helped Vita and Cheryl make pizza and snacks for the party. You may see in the photos below the girls making cupcakes, etc. The children won some prizes for some games they played and then later gifts were offered to them through the kind and thoughtful help of the people at Stanton Bible Methodist Church, Stanton, Alabama. Thank you Stanton folk!
Tim offered a short devotion encouraging the youth to realize that the coming of Christ makes their lives special and that Jesus came that they might have a life related to God.
Our day of Christmas ministry was very special and we hope you rejoice with us in what God is helping us to do in the lives of these young people. Please pray for God's guidance to help us do more.
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| Leah, Ira, and Valya getting Pizza ready |
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| Maryana and Yula decorating cupcakes |
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| Our Christmas Youth Party |
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| Cheryl Presenting the Gifts to the Children that Stanton Bible Methodist sent |
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| Ira, Yula, Leah, Karoleena, and Valya |
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| The children with presents from Stanton |
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| Zhana, Volva, and David getting the "Pin the Ornament of the Tree" game ready |
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| Adriana, Natasha, and Yula decorating cupcakes |
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| Leah, Cheryl, Ira, and Valya making pizzas |
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| David and Volva trying to outwit Stopa at checkers |
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| Vita and girls getting the pizzas ready |
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| The Pizza is so good! |
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| Zhana exploring her presents |
Thank you for sharing pictures of the children w/ their gifts. Our church ladies had so much fun getting these gifts together for the children. So glad that they made it to ya'll in time for Christmas! God bless your ministry in the coming new year! ~Karen Smith (WMS Stanton BMC)
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